Responding to the resignation of Wes Streeting as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, BMA deputy chair of council Dr Emma Runswick said:  

“The change of the most senior politician in charge of the nation’s health and care comes at a critical time.

“All major groups of NHS doctors in England are currently in dispute with the Government, with the very real prospect of industrial action across all primary and secondary care doctors this year. Successfully resolving these disputes by valuing the expert clinicians who run services on the ground, preventing further strikes, and allowing us to get on with caring for patients at a time of almost record demand, must be at the very top of the new Health Secretary’s in-tray.

“The new Health Secretary must also address the threat to patient safety posed by doctor replacement with non-medical staff, the shortage of training and GP jobs, and the outrageous redundancies of public health doctors which will make long-term ill health across the country worse. At a time when the health needs of the population are so high, it’s absurd that we have doctors facing unemployment.

“As the trade union and professional association representing all doctors and medical students in the UK, we look forward to working with the new Secretary of State to address the urgent issues facing doctors, health services and patients as soon as possible.”

Ends

Notes to editors

The BMA is a professional association and trade union representing and negotiating on behalf of all doctors in the UK. A leading voice advocating for outstanding health care and a healthy population. An association providing members with excellent individual services and support throughout their lives.